Drill-actuating mechanism.



, 1911. Patented June 25, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W. K. RILEY.

DRILL ACTUATING MEGHANISM. APPLICATION FILED 11011.10, 1910. RENBWED M1119 LSSQ.

W. K. RILEY. DRILL AGTUATING MECHANISM.y APPLICATION FILED Nov. 10, 1910. 1131131111111 D110.19, 1911.

Patented June 25,1912,

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM RILEY, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO PHI MARX, OF TEHACHAPI, CALIFORNIA. t

DRILL-ACTUATING MECHANISM.

Specification of` Letters Patent.

Patented June 25, 1912.

Application led November 10, 1910, Serial No. 591,659. Renewed December 19, 1911. Serial No. 666,843.

` To all whom 'it may concern.'

"Be it known that I, IViLLIAM K. RILEY, a citizen of theUnited States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Drill-Actuating Mechanisms, yof which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to actuatingv mechanisms for rock drills and the like or for any other device where it is necessary 0r desirable to impart a striking mot-ion; and it refers particularly to an automatic feed means for the drill which obviates all hand action in feeding the drill.

I am aware that certain devices have heretofore been used for the purpose of feeding a rock drill forwardly as fast as the cutt-ing is done, but in devices 0f this character a manual means has been employed to control the movement. j In my application filed June 8th, 1909, bearing Serial No.- 500,954, I have described such a mechanism as above outlined. In this device the drill is moved forwardly by air pressure acting upon a suitable plunger, a `spring being used to move the drill rearwardly `when the "air pressure is relieved. Ahand controlled friction device is provided for holding the drill in any .desired position and for preventing the fluid pressure from forcing the drill for Wardly at too great aspeed. The chief disadvantage of this construction resides. in the force is always greater than the forwardly exerted force due to the air pressure. The excess pressure required to move the drill forwardly is supplied in a jolting motion by the 'momentum of moving parts, the drill being fed forwardly at every stroke when the bit is not striking the bottom of the hole. Backward feeding in the same manner is prevented by the fact that the air pressure and frictional retard are very much,

in excess of the spring pressure and by the provision of a ratchet mechanism, so that a very Ilarge excessive pressure is4 needed to force'the drill backwardly. l

To keep the frictional retard at a point where the drill will be fed forwardly in desired amounts and under fluctuating air pressures, is an operation which is difficult to perform by manual means alone. The present invention does this work automatically and better than it could be done by hand, allowing' the drill to feed forwardly at a uniform rate or adapting the feed to the different substances through which a hole is being drilled.- Y

In the accompanying drawings I .hav illustrated a drill of my own design equipped with my invention in its preferred form. It will beunderstood that there are numer- 'ous features of structure which have to do with the drill in general rather than with the present invention and these features will vary with different drills. features of the embodiment of the invention shown may be changed and modified to suit adaptation to drills of various characters, the prime features being those which accomplishthe general broad action above Outlined and about to be described.

YIn the accompanying drawings: AFigure l is a side elevation of a drill equipped with my invent-ion. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal central section of the same. Fig. 3 is an enlarged section of the essential operating portions of the drilll Fig. 4:' is a section taken on line 4.-4; of Fig. 3 and showing the air ducts. Fi 5 is an enlarged cross section taken on lines 5 5 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross section of the ratchet device orHpreventing the rearward motion of the r1 In the drawings 10 designates a tubular longitudinal frame which is slotted as illustratedr .in Fig. 5v at 11 for the reception of valve casing 12 of the drill proper 13. The drill is. comprised in a. cylinder 14 having a piston 15 therein and a valve 16 operated with the piston for the purpose of admitting iiuid pressure to the 'opposite ends ofthe cylinder through portsl 17. Valve 16 is of the piston `type and carries `heads 18 on its ends, these heads controlling ports 17.. Air under. pressure isfed to the spaces at the 'ends of `the valve and through its hollow interior19, a balance being thus' assured.

Also, the minor l.The valve carries pistons 20 near its'center which are separated by a 'block 21 which acts as a stationary head. At each slde of.

port 27 to port 2 2 and into the space between piston 20' and block 21. The` valve isvconsequently forced in the direction opposlte to that in which the piston 15 has been moving-piston 18 being moved outside of port 17 and the airfrom behind'piston 15 allowed tapass through port 17 and port 30 to theinterior of frame 10 whence it escapes to the 4atmosphere through perforated cap 31. At

the other end of the valve, piston 18 is moved inside port 17 and air under pressure is allowed to-enter` behind piston 15 to lforce it in the direction opposite to that in which f it has just been traveling. This mechanism is described to this extent to show that the piston 15 has-a reciprocating movement 1n cylinder 14. The structure of the valve constitutes'no feature ofthe Vpresent invention,

but it is essential to .the operation of the device that the piston have a reciprocating motion and any mechanism which will ac-v complish this end will answer the purpose. VAt each end` of cylinder 14a cylinder head 40'is providedagainst which a buffer spring 41 rests. Buffer heads 42 cover the cuter'ends of the Vsprings and are adapted forengagement with the piston 15. Qn the rear end of the cylinderithe buffer head is. held in place .by means of a nut l43 en-4 gaging with a sleeve 44 forming a part of head 40.` At the forward end of thevcylinder bui'ei" head 42 is provided with la" sleeve 45 which projects through head 40 and is held by nut- 46 from inward movement. It is designed that the striking of the piston upon these buffer heads shall stop the piston at definite points in its travel, or at leastwithin reasonable limits.. `When the piston 'strikes either of the buffer heads and especially the front one, it imparts a portion of its momentum to the cylinder 14 and tends to thereby move the cylinder along frame .10 in a forward direction. If the bit 'is not striking the end of the hole, the full impact of the piston and its attached parts will 'come upon the buffer head and will tend to move the cylinder forwardly. It is this motion which I make use of and control so as to form a uniform and eiiicient feed for the drill.

wardly,

The rear end of frame 10 is formed into a cylinder 10a to which air under pressure is fed through a valve 50 and hose 51. A hollow plunger 52 ismountd in cylinder 10a, being .provided with-a leather packing 53 on its endso as to prevent the escape of air aroundl it. The lower edge of `plunger 52 is provided with 4,teeth 54 which mesh with the teeth of a pinion 55 having a projecting shaft 56. By means of this arrangement the drill may be moved manually on the frame whengsuch movement is desired. -The air pressure in cylinder 10 forces plunger 52forwardly.` Plunger 52 is joined at 57 to extension 58 of. cylinder walls 14; so that the cylinder-and its attached mechanism is forced forwardly with the plunger. In theforward end'of tubular frame 10 a spring 60 is provided .to press rearwardly against the. forward end ofvval've casing 12 and against av 'de 61 surrcundin the forward end of ijel g withintubular frame 10'. Spring 60 presses rearwardly 'with 'a force somewhat less than the forward pressure exerted by the air on plunger 52, within the variations of" pressure used for rock drilling workin various localities. When the air admitted to the vdrill the cylinder mechanism is `immediately forced forward against the pressure of spring 60 were it not for the intervention of the device .now to-be explained. When the air pressure is relieved, Ispring 60 inimediately forces the drill mechanism rearpulling the bit out of the hole being drilled. The same air pressure which issupplied to the rear end of plunger52 passes through the plunger to chamber 25 and thence to the various portions of valve 16 and also through duct 26. Connected with duct 26 valve casing. and fitting is a duct v70'whicl1 leads around the side of the cylinder to a point near its top where it discharges into a'shallow cylinder 71 having a piston 72 therein. Piston 72 is relatively short and of large diameter, having a leather packing 7 3 and a metallic end disk 74. Through the medium of a ball 75 the p'iston'presses on the interior of a lever 76 'pivoted at 77 to lugs 7 81 extending from' the walls of cylinder 14. On the 'opposite upper sides of frame 10 are formed ways 80 which are yprovided with stationary gibs or liners 81. Cylinder 14 is provided on one side with fa lug 82 extending over way 80 carrying a gib 83 runningjon gib 81.

The lower end of lever 76 below pivot 77 carries a gib 84 which is adapted to be lpressed against gib 81 on way 80. This provision of two gibs on each wearing surface makes it possible to'provide entirely new wearing surfaces .for old worn ones and for keeping the machine in perfect alinementf In the old practice lwhere a I single gib is'used, the base surface itself is tion once established between the forwardly.

moving force'and the frictional retard will always be kept, and the retard will always prevent the forward movement vof the piston by just the right amount to insure proper and uniform forward feeding of the drill by the jolting action of the moving parts.

As before explained, the rearward force of the spring, the forward pressure on the -plunger and the \frictional retard are so proportioned that the spring and retard acting together will hold the mechanism ordinarily from forward movement, while it will allow the mechanism to be moved forwardly by the blow -of the moving parts when the bit is'not striking the end of the hole and transferring the energy of the machine to the drilling operations. A fluctuation of the air pressure will not change the operation, the drill being still fed forward uniformly and keeping the bit at work at its highest eiciency. The rearward movement of the drill is prevented by a ratchet mechanism shown in detail in Fig. 6. A

4collar 100 is formed on pump barrel 101- which projects from the rear cylinder headA 40, collar 100 being placed angularly so as to allow the movement of ratchet member 102 as shown. A collar 103 on cap 104 on the rear end of the pump barrel confines member 102. A flat spring 105 keeps member 102 v in the diagonal position shown. Member 102 has an aperture 102a surroundingcylinder 10 and is adapted to bind on the cylinder and'y prevent the rearward movement of the pump barrel unless member 102 is pressed backfagainst spring 105. A small h andle 106 mounted on the upper end of member 102 s erves for the manipulation of the ratchet. when it is desired to release it and allow the drill mechanism to move rearwardly.

Having described my invention, I claim: 1. A- mechanism of the character described, comprising a supporting frame having Ways thereon, a cylinder and -piston mechanism slidably mounted on the ways, resilient means opposing the movement of the cylinder and piston mechanism in one direction, fluid pressure actuated means for moving the cylinderand piston' mechanism in that direction, and fluid pressure operated means for frictionally holding the cylinder and piston mechanism against .movement on the Ways.

2. A mechanism of the character described, comprising a supporting frame having ways thereon, a cylinder and piston mechanism slidably mounted in the ways, resilient'means opposing the movement o f the cylinder and piston mechanism in one direction, fluid pressure actuated means for moving the cylinder and piston .mechanism in that direction, frictional holdingA means between the supporting frame and the cylinder and piston mechanism, and means for actuating the frictional holding means from the same source of fluid pressure which operates the cylinder and piston moving mechanism. y

3. A mechanism of the character described, comprising a supporting frame having ways thereon, a cylinder and piston mechanism slidably mounted in the ways, yielding means for moving the cylinder and piston mechanism-in one direction', a mechanismformoving the cylinder andpiston mechanism in the opposite direction, a

mechanism for frictionally holding the cylinder and piston mechanism from movement on the ways, and 'coperating means Whereby themoving and frictional holdingmechanism are operated simultaneously from the same source of power.

4. A mechanism' of lthe character described, comprising a supporting frame of tubular section and having Ways thereon, a cylinder and piston mechanism slidably mounted in the ways, a spring mounted in the frame and pressing against the cylinder and piston mechanism, fluid pressure actuated means for moving the cylinder and piston mechanism against the spring, a mechanism for frictionally holding the cylinder and piston mechanism from movement on the ways, and means for 'operating the friction mechanism from the source. of fluid pressure which moves the cylinder `and pisyto an air chamber in the cylinder and piston mechanism, air pressure actuated means on the cylinder and piston mechanism and frictionally engaging with the ways on .the frame, the frictional mechanism being connected to the air chamber to be operated by the ysame air pressure whichvoperates the cylinder and plunger mechanism.

6. A-mechanisrn of` the class described,

,comprising a supporting frame of tubular 'of the frame and pressing rearwardly upon the cylinder and piston mechanisms, and.

fluid pressure actuated means for friction`- ally holding the cylinder and piston mechanism in place on the frame, the said: means being connected bya Aduct tothe interior of the hollow plu-nger. 1

7. A mechanism of Ythe character described, comprising a supporting frame of tubular cross section and'having ways on its `forward end, a hollow plunger in the rear end of the frame, .the rear end of the frame forming a cylinder for the plunger, a cylin. der and Apiston mechanism mounted ony the ways, a spring in the. frame and pressing rearwardly on the cylinder and piston mecha'nism, a lever pivoted to the cylinder and pist-on mechanism and having a surface adaptedto frctionally engage with one of the ways on the frame, land fluid pressure actua'tedmeans for moving the lever about its pivot to force its frictional surface into engagement with 'the way. i

'8; A mechanism of 'the class described, comprising a supporting frame of tubular cross section and having ways on its forward end, a hollow plunger in the rear end. of the frame, the rear of the frame ormin a cylinder for the plunger, a cylinder sli ably mounted o'n the ways, a piston in the cylinder, a valve mechanism mounted on the niston and adapted to cont-rol theadmission :massa of Huid pressure to the cylinder for the movement of the piston, the valve mechanism having ducts connecting to the interior of the hollow plunger,4 sp1-in hfesineach end of the cylin er, a spring mounted on the forward end of the frame and pressing rearwardly on the cylinder, a

small cylinder formed in the walls of thel first named cylinder, a piston in said-small cylinder, a lever pivoted to the first named cylinder walls and having its end .engaging with the pist-on in the said small cylinder, a

surface on the lever adapted tobe forced.

' yielding means opposing the movement of 4the cyllnder and piston mechanism 1n' one direction, vfluidE pressure actuated means yfor moving t-he cylinder and piston mechanism in that direction, and means for frictionally holding the mechanism againsty movement onthe-ways. I

'In witness that I claim the foregoing l have hereunto subscribed my name this 5th day of November 1910.

f RILEY. lVitnesses:

JAMES T. BABKELEW, l?. A. CARTER.

'supported' forming a cylinder for the hollow 

